"Sand" blasting for repainters?

[rbiemer]

This just came though my email:
http://www.micromark.com/MicroLux-Grit-Blaster#?promocode=17WS028&leadsource=email&utm_source=Marketing&utm_medium=Email&utm_campaign=17WS028

I don't have a need for this but it might be useful for stripping plating prior to repainting.
The small scale of the tool seems appropriate but I don't have any idea if the grit size would be good for a camera finish.

Rob

 

[oltimer]

I do not work on cameras, but other very fine equipment. What I use is "glass bead" grit size 0000, and keep the compressor at 72 lbs. Comes out extremely smooth for the primer to go on and adhere.

 

[Steve M.]

Looks like a well thought out design. Of course, for that kind of money you could probably buy a 50 gallon drum of paint stripper and be set for several lifetimes, if it goes that way. I would be more comfortable doing a simple chemical strip (not that I have any intention of repainting a camera, never did understand that), but the little sand blaster looks like it may have lots of other uses.

I built a chopper from the frame up eons ago and sent all sorts of small stuff out for chroming, so I wonder if this would work as a first step to prep metals for plating? That seemed to be a large part of the cost.

 

[B-9]

Blasting and Brass, I'm getting a little nauseous!

I've media blasted a brass top, with walnut, and it warped the heck out of it.

All that abrasive power = localized heat

I use MetalX strippers for Nickel and Muriatic Acid for Chrome.

The good ol' "dip and sip" method. Dunk your part grab a beer and watch.

 

[Dante_Stella]

Citrus Strip is way better. My house came equipped with some kind of theater-style foot guide lights that had been covered with 54 or so layers of latex paint. After a week in the goo, the latex paint and the baked on pink(!) enamel sloughed right off.

 

[Timmyjoe]

My friend had the same experience as B-9, the problem is the abrasive creates localized heat, and for a piece of stamped metal, which has all kinds of internal stresses from the stamping process (the bending and stretching), the localized heat relieves those stresses in the localized area, so the part warps and deforms.

 

[Dante_Stella]

I second the issues with sandblasting; when I was having my G690BL chrome-plated, the sandblasting necessitated some straightening. If I did it again, it would be bright polished chrome. Because you're already walking around with a shiny camera...

 

[B-9]

The chemistry it takes to strip all the little parts of a camera is roughly 10$

The time from chrome to brass, about 4-5 hours with rinsing and beer.

The strippers I have found are safe for home use and easily disposed of locally.

I would not go as far to call it fun but with a few drinks anything can be a project.